Queen of the Mississippi, The New Luxury Steamboat On The Mississippi River.

The Queen of the Mississippi will soon be rollin' on the river. photo: ACL

American Cruise Lines is about to return river royalty to the Mississippi. The Queen may look like a traditional Mississippi riverboat, but she has the latest safety, environmental and construction technologies.

American Cruise Lines is building a brand new authentic paddlewheeler, the Queen of the Mississippi. She is currently under construction in Salisbury, MD. It’s as if she can’t wait to get here, the Queen is weeks ahead of schedule.

The Queen of the Mississippi will recreate the grandeur of past riverboats while possessing the latest safety, environmental and construction technologies. For the 2012 Cruise schedule click here.

With only 78 staterooms, passengers will be thrilled that the authentic paddlewheeler features the largest staterooms on the Mississippi. American Cruise Lines ships are known for the exceptionally large staterooms. Like classic turn of the century Mississippi riverboats, the Queen will maintain the elegance and traditional Victorian luxury.

American Cruise Lines boasts the largest staterooms of any steamboat in the Mississippi River. photo: ACL

Sliding glass doors access private balconies on third and fourth deck staterooms and suites allowing for entirely private and unobstructed viewing of the Mississippi River. 85% of the Queen of the Mississippi’s staterooms will feature private balconies. While maintaining the elegance and traditional Victorian luxury of classic turn of the century Mississippi riverboats.

Features include six unique lounges, a library, an elegant dining salon, elevator service to all decks. The Paddlewheel Lounge, one of the six lounges on board, offers a luxurious sitting area with live music. Listen or even dance to the sultry sounds of solo acts or the live music of Dixieland bands.

“The entertainment on Queen of the Mississippi will be substantial,” said Timothy Beebe, Vice President, American Cruise Lines in a press release. “It’s an important element of our Mississippi cruises and we look forward to offering passengers the best entertainment program; one that will truly take them back in time and have them talking about for years to come.”

In the Calliope Lounge, passengers can play the calliope or enjoy a drink. A Mark Twain impersonator will tell tales of other steamboats and adventures gone by. Onboard experts and lecturers will offer programs and share stories.

Specific details of the entertainment program, entertainers, lecturers and, music programs will be available soon. Complimentary amenities and features of Mississippi River itineraries and aboard Queen of the Mississippi include:

Fully-functioning authentic paddlewheel that can be viewed from the Paddlewheel Lounge

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors to private balconies

Room Service

Wi-Fi in all staterooms

Satellite TV and DVD player in all staterooms

Gourmet coffee brewers in all staterooms

High Tea served in the afternoon

Top Deck Café – Hot and cold beverages, snacks, pastries available throughout the day

Bottled water and soft drinks

Nightly turndown service

The Queen of the Mississippi will be cruising at significantly higher speeds than any past Mississippi riverboat to make more itineraries possible than ever before on the Mississippi River, with longer visits to the river towns and less night traveling, especially on upriver itineraries.

Jackson Square, the heart of the French Quarter is always abuzz. Plan a day to explore before or after your cruise. The landmark St. Louis Cathedral reigns over the square. photo: New Orleans CVB

Cruises on the Queen of the Mississippi begin in August from New Orleans. Depending on the itinerary, 7, 10, and 14-day cruises are planned to take passengers as far as St.Paul, MN on the Mississippi River and Pittsburgh, PA on the Ohio River.

Themed cruises highlighting the region, like Civil War Cruise or a Fall Foliage Cruise

Following the 2012 season, the 2013 schedule for Queen of the Mississippi will feature sailings beginning on February 9th. The new 2013 schedule is now available for viewing here.

“We’re excited about the release of 2013 sailings aboard Queen of the Mississippi,” said Timothy Beebe, Vice President, American Cruise Lines. “We received a wonderful response to the 2012 inaugural season and look forward to further accommodating this demand with the 2013 schedule.”

About American Cruise Lines

Ideal for the midwestern traveler, several cruise lines dock at the Port of New Orleans. photo: New Orleans CVB

American Cruise Lines operates the newest fleet of small ships in the industry and offers more than 30 unique itineraries along the inland waterways and rivers of the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, the Mississippi River System and East Coast of the United States, from New England to Florida. To learn more about American Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.americancruiselines.com or call (800) 814-6880.

See the the launch
The recent launching of American Cruise Lines‘ brand new sternwheeler, Queen of the Mississippi, went picture perfect and nine weeks ahead of schedule at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland. Queen of the Mississippi’s superstructure will come together quickly, giving shape to the first riverboat built for the Mississippi in nearly twenty years.